Europe (Spain) April/May 2012

Total expenses incurred (7 days) : E$328.50 = Rm1,314
Hostels (6 nights): Total E$93
Musas Residence, Madrid (2 nights) - E$16 + E18 (4 & 6 bed dorm)
The Living Roof, Seville (1 night) - E12 (8-bed dorm)
Funky Cordoba ( 1 night) - E$11 (3-bed dorm)
Funky Granada ( 1 night) - E$18 (6-bed dorm)
Lisboa Hostel, Algeciras ( 1 night) - E$18 (single room)
Transport by coach/train: Total E$140.20
Madrid>Lisbon - E$34
Madrid>Toledo - E9.10 (return)
Lisbon>Seville - E$37
Seville>Algeciras - E17.50
Algeciras>Granada (train) - E27.60
Granada>Cordoba - E$14.35
Cordoba>Madrid - E15.00
Madrid>Paris - Eurolines Bus Pass
Entrance fee: Total E$30
E8.50 (Alcazar Palace)
E13.00 (La Alhambra)
E 8.50 (Cordoba Cathedral)
Food & groceries: E$46
Metro/bus: E$12.50
Souvenirs: E$6.80

Madrid, Spain

In May 2011, I made a visit to Barcelona but did not visit other major cities in Spain. After my wife's departure for home, I continued my travel from Paris to Madrid (Eurolines Bus). So from now on, I traveled solo for two weeks covering 4 countries ie Spain, Portugal, Gibraltar & Morocco. For this trip in Spain, I visited 6 cities ie Madrid, Toledo, Seville, Granada, Cordoba & Algeciras.

In Madrid, I stayed in Musas Residence (E$16-dorm). I had two solid days in Madrid so this gave me the opportunities to explore the Old Town and various tourist sites around Madrid.

Lucky me and without a local tourist guide, I managed to visit the following places in Madrid: Plaza Major, Royal Palace, Parque del Retiro (A Royal Park), Alcala Gate, Gran Via, City Hall, Fuente de las Cibeles, Edifico Metropolis & Grassy &Elosoei Medrono (a 20 ton statute of a bear eating fruit from a tree).

Toledo, Spain

I took a bus (E$9.10 return) from Madrid to Toledo, a distance of about 70km. Toledo is an UNESCO World Heritage site so the Old City attracted lots of tourists, mostly day trippers.

From the Toledo bus terminal, I took a walk uphill to visit this fabulous town. I spent about 4-5 hrs here and from the hill top, I could have a panoramic view of the surrounding area of Toledo. The major landmarks are Purtade de Bisagra, Puerta del Sol, Zocodovax Square, Alcazar of Toledo and a number of souvenir shops.

Seville, Spain

From Lisbon, Portugal, I took an overnight bus to Seville, Spain (E$37 20.30>05.00). I came to Seville to visit the Alcazar Palace, an UNESCO World Heritage site. Next to Alcazar is the Seville Cathedral ( built in 1401) & La Giralda, the mosque's minaret of the 12th century.

At 08.30, I made a brief visit to the Seville Cathedral and at 09.00, I joined the queue of a group of tourists at the front gate of Alcazar Palace. Long queue was seen by the time the gate was opened to public at 09.30 (entrance E$8.50). 

Alcazar Palace was founded as a Muslim fortress in 913 and later became a royal residence for many centuries. It was rebuilt many times for the past 11 centuries. I spent about 3 hrs inside the Alacazar as this place covers a huge area and you really have to take time to fully appreciate and admire the architectural designs of this magnificent palace, its fortress, patios & gardens. 

I also visited Plaza de Espana & Plaza del Triun fort.

Algeciras & Tarifa

After Seville, my next visit is Algeciras. I took a Linesur bus (E$17.50) from Seville to Algeciras (07.15>11.15) and checked into Lisboa Hostel in Algeciras (E$18 single room). 

Algeciras is about 30 mins by bus (E$4.50 return) from Gibraltar so this gave me ample time to spend the rest of the afternoon in Gibraltar. Both Algeciras & Tarifa ports operate ferry crossings to Tanger, Morocco. 

I used Algeciras as the base for a fast ferry (E$37) crossing to Tanger Port, Morocco via Tarifa. The following morning (08.00), I took a FRS bus from the Algeciras port to Tarifa and boarded a fast ferry (35 mins) to Tanger. In my return trip from Fez to Tanger, I took an express ferry (E$20) from Tanger-Med to Algeciras. From Algeciras, I then took a train to Granada, Spain (E$27.60 11.00>15.40).

Granada, Spain

Why visit Granada ? In Seville, you have the magnificent Alcazar and in Granada , you have the remarkable Alhambra ( both are UNESCO World Heritage sites), another great Islamic art & architectural achievement during the ancient Muslim world. Alhambra is Spain's most visited tourist attraction.

To avoid disappointment, I woke up early and took a bus in front of the Cathedral to Alhambra. By 08.00, the queue had started to build up and it took almost 40 mins of waiting before I was able to buy the morning admission ticket (E$13.50). The ticket had specified a time ie 09.30 for entry to the Nasrid Palace. If you miss the specified time, you will be refused entry.

The Alhambra fortress was built in the 11th century. From the top of its towers, you could have a spectacular view of the fortress & gardens. As I had a bus to catch from Granada to Cordoba (E$14.35 12.00>14.30), I spent slightly less than two hours in this place but was satisfied with the outcome.

Cordoba, Spain

Another dumb question - why visit Cordoba ? Cordoba was not in my original travel plan. But I had two extra days towards to end of my travel in Spain, so I picked Cordoba to visit the famous Cordoba Cathedral - an UNESCO World Heritage site. No regret at all after seeing this Mezquita (mosque) de Cordoba which was built during the 8th century ! Cordoba is the 2nd largest Old Towns in Europe !

A warm and welcome sign greeted me when I checked into the Funky Cordoba hostel (E$11-dorm). What a pleasant stay in Cordoba as I was rewarded with three great things in Spain: the sun (clear blue sky), superb food & hospitality - I shall return to see more of Spain in my next visit. The city of Merida & Valencia are my top priority for future visits.

Other tourist attractions I visited were: Roman Bridge of Cordoba, Calahorra Tower, Purerta de Purenle & Jewish Quarter. 

Seville, Spain - more pictures 

Granda, Spain - more pictures